King Charles III Gives Moving Personal Cancer Message

King Charles III has described the ‘daunting’ and ‘frightening’ experience of being told you have cancer.  

In what has been described as his most ‘poignant’ and ‘deeply personal’ words about the illness fifteen months after his own diagnosis, the monarch also revealed he had taken inspiration from the late Dame Deborah James.

 

She urged sufferers, he said, with moving magnificence to ‘find a life worth enjoying; take risks; love deeply; have no regrets; and always, always have rebellious hope.’

His Majesty King Charles III opened up in a message to fellow sufferers as they are invited to Buckingham Palace tonight to recognise the incredible work of community-based cancer organisations.

 

The King is himself still undergoing regular treatments as someone ‘living with cancer’, although aides say his recovery continues in a ‘very positive direction, as reflected with the very full national and international diary programme’ he is undertaking.

The personally-penned message has added significance given that his daughter-in-law, the Princess of Wales, was also diagnosed with cancer within weeks of his own last year and underwent preventative chemotherapy.

 

In his message King Charles III, 76, takes pains to personally thank those who so ‘selflessly’ work giving care, comfort and reassurance to the 390,000 people who receive a new cancer diagnosis across the UK each year - more than 1,000 a day -as well as those working to treat the disease, research cures and fundraise for them do do so.

‘Each diagnosis, each new case, will be a daunting and at times frightening experience for those individuals and their loved ones,’ he writes.

‘As one among those statistics myself, I can vouch for the fact that it can also be an experience that brings into sharp focus the very best of humanity,’ he writes.

‘It has certainly given me an even deeper appreciation of the extraordinary work undertaken by the remarkable organisations and individuals gathered here this evening, many of whom I have known, visited and supported over the years.

‘And it has reinforced what I have long observed during these visits - that the darkest moments of illness can be illuminated by the greatest compassion.’

He added with added poignancy: ‘You have my whole family’s deepest admiration and gratitude.’

King Charles III was diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer in January last year following routine surgery for an enlarged prostate.

Buckingham Palace have not confirmed what form he has, but have ruled out it being connected with his prostate issue.

They have also not disclosed what treatment he is still undertaking.

But there is little doubt that King Charles III has been more open about his diagnosis and medical treatment than any other monarch in history.

‘As one among those statistics myself, I can vouch for the fact that it can also be an experience that brings into sharp focus the very best of humanity,’ he writes.

‘It has certainly given me an even deeper appreciation of the extraordinary work undertaken by the remarkable organisations and individuals gathered here this evening, many of whom I have known, visited and supported over the years.

‘And it has reinforced what I have long observed during these visits - that the darkest moments of illness can be illuminated by the greatest compassion.’

He added with added poignancy: ‘You have my whole family’s deepest admiration and gratitude.’

The King was diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer in January last year following routine surgery for an enlarged prostate.

Buckingham Palace have not confirmed what form he has, but have ruled out it being connected with his prostate issue.

They have also not disclosed what treatment he is still undertaking.

But there is little doubt that Charles has been more open about his diagnosis and medical treatment than any other monarch in history.

He has always been keen not to seek public sympathy for himself, but use his situation to raise awareness of the disease and offer comfort to others suffering from all forms.

Tonight’s reception saw himself and Queen Camilla, accompanied by the Duchess of Gloucester, shine a light on those caring for people with cancer in the community, and raise awareness of preventative action people can take to avoid the disease.

Many of those present were from charities supported by the Royal Family, including Macmillan Cancer Support, Breast Cancer Now, Maggie’s and Children’s Hospice South West.

High profile supporters included broadcaster Adele Roberts, a cancer survivor herself, reality star Ashley Cain who tragically lost his eight-week-old daughter to cancer, and actor Richard E Grant, whose beloved wife, Joanna Washington, died from lung cancer.

Also present were the parents of ‘Bowel Babe’ Dame Deborah James, who earned the respect of the nation with her strength and bravery raising awareness and fundraising while living with incurable bowel cancer. She died in 2022 at the age of just 40 and was made a Dame by Prince William at her home just weeks before she lost her battle for life.

Describing her as an ‘inspiration’, the King writes: ‘And to those who may be receiving such upsetting news today, tomorrow or at any point in the future, I can only echo the departing words of the late Dame Deborah James, whose parents I am delighted to have with us here this evening, and whose example stands as an inspiration to us all, in sickness and in health.’

The King says that as long-term patrons of a number of organisations working in the field, he and the Queen have seen ‘at first-hand how you not only fund vital research and deliver exceptional healthcare but also create spaces where patients and their families find sanctuary, understanding and practical assistance when they need it most’.

He continues: ‘What strikes us repeatedly is the profound impact of human connection - whether in the careful explanation from a specialist nurse, the hand held by a hospice volunteer, or the shared experience in a support group.

‘These moments of kinship create what I might call a "community of care", one that sustains patients through the most difficult of times.’

And there is no mistaking the King’s personal gratitude, as well as his professional one, as he continues: ‘So to all the researchers pursuing pioneering breakthroughs; to the healthcare professionals providing specialist treatment; to the volunteers offering comfort, or campaigning to raise awareness; and to the fundraisers enabling all this vital work - you have my whole family’s deepest admiration and gratitude.

‘Your commitment to early diagnosis, evermore successful therapies and truly holistic care represents the very best our country can offer.

‘This collective endeavour reminds us of what we can achieve when we are united with common purpose and uncommon determination.

‘While every patient’s journey may be different, together you are ensuring that a cancer diagnosis need never mean facing the future without hope and support.’

Also performing the reception are the Watch the Change + Check Choir, made up of 26 women brought together by breast cancer diagnoses, by ITV presenter Lorraine Kelly.

Many of the women are still living with secondary breast cancer and have described performing for Their Majesties as ‘poignant’.

Ms Kelly said: 'It’s not every day you get to perform for royalty and it’s an absolute privilege to be invited.’

Choir member Nikki Wheatley also praised the king, adding: ‘I had the privilege of meeting The King at The Royal Variety Performance and he was so attentive and gave everyone his time. You wouldn't know from looking at The King that he is unwell, and that's the same with me, so I can relate to him.

‘To see him carry on with his work and engagements whilst battling cancer himself is inspiring as you know what it is like behind the scenes.’

Gemma Peters, Chief Executive Officer at Macmillan Cancer Support, said: ‘We are so grateful to His Majesty for his continued support, both as our Patron and for being so open about his own cancer experience, which has inspired so many others to reach out for support from organisations like Macmillan.

‘Every day we see the impact that cancer is having on people’s lives and that experience is even worse for some people because of who they are or where they live, which is entirely unacceptable. We are on a mission to transform cancer care, but we cannot do it on our own.

‘It's incredible to see so many different community groups and organisations who are doing brilliant work for people living with cancer. It is only by working together as a cancer community, that we will be able to tackle the biggest issues facing cancer care and support the people living with cancer who need it most.’